Album Reviews

Music You Don't Know You Like Yet

TAD ROBINSON

BACK IN STYLE

2010-06-29

Singer/harmonica player Tad Robinson has always played the soulful side of the blues. On this new disc he dives head first into the Soul music waters and executes a flawless entry into the deep end. With a big horn section including Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns and an all star crew of back up musicians (including Robb Stupka on drums, Steve Gomes on bass, Kevin Anker on B3 and other keys, Alex Schultz on guitar and a host of others) Robinson has all the groove he needs to propel his rich vocals to dizzying heights on track after track. Sounding like Al Green, Sam Cooke or even Otis Redding with a silky smooth voice that emotes both power and vulnerability, Robinson plays the boastful lover one moment, "I’m in Good", a thankful but still errant boyfriend the next, "Sunday Morning Woman", a man on the outs, "Rained All Night", and, finally, a man on the chase again on the slow, funky "Half Smile". While a number of the cuts burn with a slow passion, "Full Attention Blues" and "Just Out of My Reach", label mate Darrell Nulisch’s "Turn to the Music" as well as "I’m In Good" and "On and On" burn a bit brighter with the horns and Schultz’s stinging guitar adding vibrant color to the mix. Smoldering hot, this is music for both lovers and those with nothing more between them than lust. Even though I’m not sure Soul has ever really gone out of style, this release certainly makes a strong case for it being a vital part of our musical fabric.
SMITTY

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